Stem Cell Bone Marrow Transplant - Tizzard family
Donation protected
My wife Allison Edwards begins her long journey through a Stem Cell Bone Marrow transplant on April 26th, 2019.
We were just informed a few days ago that this treatment has been approved and we are terrified and also excited that there is hope where none had been for some time. Although the procedure is covered by OHIP and the treatment team there are going to be a lot of extra expenses as we need to relocate to Ottawa for 6 months to a year. During this time we still have a daughter in high school, one in university and there are life expenses that are going to be a challenge for us to cover. As a full time musician, I have to suspend most of my work to assist my wife and the income drop mixed with the re-locating are creating financial stresses. We have had a lot of people reach out in the last 72 hours to inquire as to how they could help us out and if we were going to set up a donation site... here it is folks... Below you can read the recent FB post that we sent out to let folks know what was going on.
Thanks
Ken, Allison, Caitlyn and Cassidy
From the FaceBook page of Ken Tizzard:
MS SUCKS!!! I have been holding my breath for some time. Today I am trying to catch my breath. Anxiety, fear and hope for a positive future are all running around in my mind.
As most of you know, my wife Allison was diagnosed with MS almost four years ago. The first year was spent dealing with understanding the disease and learning, through therapy, to deal with the stresses and realities of living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Two years ago, my wife’s relapses became more frequent. We entered into a second phase of treatment which included chemotherapy, but were not seeing much in the way of positive results. Slowly my wife became weaker and more disabled as we moved from needing assistance while walking, to a cane, a crutch, two crutches, a walker and for any stretch of distance (a mall or groceries) a wheelchair. The nerve pain that my wife deals with daily would cripple me if I had it for a hour. The fatigue, pain and exhaustion has left her bed/couch bound for the better part of the last 18 months.
Our lives slipped into this regular day to day routine with no indication of getting better. Downward seems to be the expected reality. Allison loves teaching and has tried her best to maintain a few days a week when possible, but that has been very difficult. I have changed my touring schedule several times to accommodate being home where I am needed. This is our life. This is our normal… until ten days ago…
Our neurologist in Ottawa recommended us to the team who has been having success with the Stem Cell Bone Marrow Transplant. We just found out today that it is official. We have to relocate to Ottawa for 6 months up to a year, while she has this treatment. There are terrifying details that come with this procedure. There are only 8 a year done and we feel like we have won the most horrific lottery in the world. We are so excited and scared for this procedure, but for the first time in a while we have hope of reigning in this beast of a disease and in a few years we are encouraged that we will be able to look back on this time and know that we did the right thing.
The next year is going to be some of the hardest times we have ever faced. We have a great medical team behind us and the wonderful support of friends and family.
During this time I will be less active with tour dates. I had hoped with the successful response to “A Good Dog Is Lost” to be touring a lot more this year, but it appears it is not in the cards. I will be doing Watchmen and solo shows as much as I can, however priority is getting through this time and being there for Allison and the girls.
For friends who have been there for me this last 2 years I want to thank you for your support and generous ability to listen to me confide during some of my darkest times. You know who you are…
Wish us luck.
Ken and Allison
We were just informed a few days ago that this treatment has been approved and we are terrified and also excited that there is hope where none had been for some time. Although the procedure is covered by OHIP and the treatment team there are going to be a lot of extra expenses as we need to relocate to Ottawa for 6 months to a year. During this time we still have a daughter in high school, one in university and there are life expenses that are going to be a challenge for us to cover. As a full time musician, I have to suspend most of my work to assist my wife and the income drop mixed with the re-locating are creating financial stresses. We have had a lot of people reach out in the last 72 hours to inquire as to how they could help us out and if we were going to set up a donation site... here it is folks... Below you can read the recent FB post that we sent out to let folks know what was going on.
Thanks
Ken, Allison, Caitlyn and Cassidy
From the FaceBook page of Ken Tizzard:
MS SUCKS!!! I have been holding my breath for some time. Today I am trying to catch my breath. Anxiety, fear and hope for a positive future are all running around in my mind.
As most of you know, my wife Allison was diagnosed with MS almost four years ago. The first year was spent dealing with understanding the disease and learning, through therapy, to deal with the stresses and realities of living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Two years ago, my wife’s relapses became more frequent. We entered into a second phase of treatment which included chemotherapy, but were not seeing much in the way of positive results. Slowly my wife became weaker and more disabled as we moved from needing assistance while walking, to a cane, a crutch, two crutches, a walker and for any stretch of distance (a mall or groceries) a wheelchair. The nerve pain that my wife deals with daily would cripple me if I had it for a hour. The fatigue, pain and exhaustion has left her bed/couch bound for the better part of the last 18 months.
Our lives slipped into this regular day to day routine with no indication of getting better. Downward seems to be the expected reality. Allison loves teaching and has tried her best to maintain a few days a week when possible, but that has been very difficult. I have changed my touring schedule several times to accommodate being home where I am needed. This is our life. This is our normal… until ten days ago…
Our neurologist in Ottawa recommended us to the team who has been having success with the Stem Cell Bone Marrow Transplant. We just found out today that it is official. We have to relocate to Ottawa for 6 months up to a year, while she has this treatment. There are terrifying details that come with this procedure. There are only 8 a year done and we feel like we have won the most horrific lottery in the world. We are so excited and scared for this procedure, but for the first time in a while we have hope of reigning in this beast of a disease and in a few years we are encouraged that we will be able to look back on this time and know that we did the right thing.
The next year is going to be some of the hardest times we have ever faced. We have a great medical team behind us and the wonderful support of friends and family.
During this time I will be less active with tour dates. I had hoped with the successful response to “A Good Dog Is Lost” to be touring a lot more this year, but it appears it is not in the cards. I will be doing Watchmen and solo shows as much as I can, however priority is getting through this time and being there for Allison and the girls.
For friends who have been there for me this last 2 years I want to thank you for your support and generous ability to listen to me confide during some of my darkest times. You know who you are…
Wish us luck.
Ken and Allison
Organizer
Ken Tizzard
Organizer
Campbellford, ON
